sniff
1sniff
verb \ˈsnif\Definition of SNIFF
intransitive verb
1
: to draw air audibly up the nose especially for smelling <sniffed at the flowers>
2
: to show or express disdain or scorn
transitive verb
1
: to smell or take by inhalation through the nose
2
: to utter contemptuously
3
: to recognize or detect by or as if by smelling <sniff out trouble>
Examples of SNIFF
- She sniffed and wiped her nose with a tissue.
- She put perfume on her wrist and sniffed it.
- The dog sniffed the carpet.
- He held the flower up to his nose and sniffed.
- “I guess you don't need my help,” she sniffed.
Origin of SNIFF
Middle English
First Known Use: 14th century
2sniff
nounDefinition of SNIFF
1
: an act or sound of sniffing
2
: a quantity that is sniffed
Examples of SNIFF
- She said that she felt fine, but her sniffs and coughs told a different story.
- “I refuse to answer that question,” she said with a sniff.
- He wanted to avoid the slightest sniff of a scandal.
- There was still a sniff of hope left for the team.
First Known Use of SNIFF
1767
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